KalingaTV News Network
Bhubaneswar: The state ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday celebrated its massive victory in the Bijepur by-poll. The conch party workers celebrated Rita Sahu’s win in the Bijepur by-election across the state.
Hundreds of party workers along with their leaders celebrated the win amid music and crackers in the party headquarters here.
Enthusiastic BJD leaders and workers were also seen making a beeline to Naveen Nivas to congratulate the BJD surpemo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
“We are so happy that despite BJP’s money and muscle power, Bijepur voters supported BJD in the crucial by-election. We thank them all. This win, after the Panchayat election, means a lot to us (BJD). This proves that people have faith on BJD and CM Naveen Patnaik,” said senior BJD leader and Culture Minister Ashok Panda.
Patnaik termed the win as a massive victory and outcome of love and trust of the people of Bijepur. “Humbled by love & trust of the people of #Bijepur for giving @bjd_Odisha a massive victory. BJD lives in the hearts of the people of #Odisha. Our people are peace loving and have rejected the politics of hatred and violence,” said the BJD President on his twitter handle.
“I thank each and every BJD worker who has worked hard for this. We will continue our efforts to build a prosperous and empowered Odisha. Jai Jagannath,” he added.
According to returning officer Tapiram Majhi, BJD candidate Rita Sahu defeated her nearest rival Ashok Panigrahi of BJP by a margin of 41,933 votes. She bagged 1,02,871 (56%) votes while Ashok Panigrahi of BJP got 60,938 (33.53%).
On the other hand, Congress which had won last three general elections from the same Assembly constituency, managed to get only 10,153 votes. Its candidate Pranay Sahu pocketed 5.65% votes following which he lost the security deposit as he failed to poll 1/6th of the total votes.
Ms Kalinga